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FEMA relief

Florida Politics / Staff Reports / April 26, 2020

While the federal government goes trillions of dollars deeper in debt to fight COVID-19, states face daunting budget holes as well. Rep. John Rutherford of Jacksonville and several House colleagues believe one way to help states is for the federal government to pick up all of the costs from FEMA assistance.

Rutherford and New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell wrote to Trump, asking him to waive the 25% state cost share of FEMA reimbursements triggered by declarations of national emergencies. They said waiving the state costs would provide states with even greater ability to fight the pandemic.

John Rutherford wants the federal government to pick up FEMA costs to the states.

"Our nation now leads the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases. We worry the worst has yet to come," they wrote. "It is vital the federal government leverage the full weight of its resources to allow state, local, tribal and territorial governments to dedicate their limited resources to outbreak response efforts in their fight against the spread of COVID-19."

They point to recent precedents for adjusting the cost-share following disasters. Similar action was undertaken during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the devastating flooding in Louisiana in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017, and Hurricane Michael in 2018.

"Increasing the federal cost-share of FEMA public assistance provides much-needed relief in additional federal assistance for state, local, tribal and territorial governments," they wrote.

Also signing the letter were 175 bipartisan House colleagues, including Democratic Reps. Val Demings, Ted Deutch, Charlie Crist, Kathy Castor, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Stephanie Murphy, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Frederica Wilson, Alcee Hastings, Donna Shalala and Darren Soto.

The letter has the support of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, National Governors Association, National League of Cities, National Volunteer Fire Council and U.S. Conference of Mayors.